Paper towel dispenser

ABSTRACT

A container for holding paper towels. The container has a slotted side opening that is covered by a flap.

[0001] The present invention is that of a newly designed storage container for standard type paper towels. The present invention would comprise a snap-on lid, an optional guide, an easy-grip carrying handle, a hinge, a dispensing slot, a flap, and a rubber seal.

[0002] The present invention would be a cylindrical container tat would be used to store a standard-type paper towel roll, with the roll's center tube sliding over the upright optional guide at the center of the container and being retained on a support pole associated with the present invention. Individual paper towel would be dispensed through a slotted opening. The container of the present invention would also have a snap-on lid and an easy grip integrated carrying handle.

[0003] The flap of the present invention would be mounted on the side of the present invention with a hinge. The flap could be opened slightly in order to pull a leading edge of a paper towel roll out of the dispensing slot. Once the leading edge of a roll of paper towel had been pulled out of the dispensing slot, the flap could be once again closed effectively, securing the present invention.

[0004] The dispensing slot would be one-fourth of an inch to three-eighths of an inch wide and would travel from the top to the bottom of he present invention, with the bottom part approximately one-eighth inch lower to create a lip. The snap-on lid of the present invention would be designed to stay closed despite the opening of other portions of the present invention. The minimum diameter of the container would be five and a half inches.

[0005] Use of the present invention would allow a user to store and/or carry paper towels to any desired location without the possibility of the roll coming unraveled and rendering the towels unuseable. The present would be great to have in the car on a long trip or anytime a user reeds to wipe his or her window or clean up an accidental spill.

[0006] The present invention could be seen in a perspective view in FIG. 1. The present invention can be seen in a perspective view in use in FIG. 2.

[0007] The present invention would be fabricated from plastic and rubber. The present invention would be designed in various alternative embodiments, to include an optional carrying strap, a Velcro attachment to store the container in the trunk of a vehicle, a wall mount assembly, or a waterproof carrying bag.

[0008] In use, a user would simply place a standard-type paper towel roll into the present invention with the roll's center tube sliding over the upright support pole at the center of the container of the present invention. Paper towels would then be pulled through the slotted opening on the side of the container and dispensed as needed. The uniquely designed storage container of the present invention would allow a user a store paper towels in virtually any location without the possibility of damage, especially in areas where a more traditional paper towel holder cannot be paced. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A storage container for paper towels comprising: a cylindrical container having a snap on lid and a center support pole and a slotted opening along the side thereof; the container having a handle mounted on one side thereof and a flap mounted adjacent the slotted opening that would resiliently flap over the slotted opening to keep paper twels within the container dry. 